2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games

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2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games
2017
EVENT GUIDE                 September 8 — 10, Fort Wayne, IN

        www.alliance-games.com
2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games
2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games
LETTER FROM
 THE PRESIDENT
Thank you for supporting the largest
Alliance Open House in the 41-year
history of the company!
2017 has been a fantastic year for our industry, and as we

head into the 3rd and 4th quarters, we are honored to have

you with us. This past year we’ve taken lessons learned from

you at our previous Open Houses and implemented them

– from improvements to our website and sales solicitations

to upgrading our warehouse management systems and

technology. We hope that you, too, found the information

from last year’s show useful and profitable.

We’ve also launched new initiatives that you’ll be hearing

more about during the show. Our new Roseville office and

Asmodee North America Sales Specialists are up and running.

We’ve been busy producing in store resources as well as video

marketing materials through our Game Trade Media division.

And we have a few more surprises for you this year!

We hope to see each of you on the show floor, and thank

you face-to-face for your trust, your valuable feedback, your

critique, and your business. As always, we look forward to

serving you into 2018 and beyond!

Special Thanks From

Dan Hirsch, President
- The Entire Staff at Alliance

2017          ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE        EVENT GUIDE            1
2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games
LETTER FROM
     EMILY EICKHOFF
    Welcome Retailers & Exhibitors,
    What a year it has been! It’s my pleasure to welcome you to

    the 2017 Alliance Open House. My team and I have worked

    hard the last six months to bring you the best show in Alliance’s

    history. We have more peer workshops, vendor focus groups,

    and special events scheduled than ever before. We’ve added

    8,350 square feet to the Exhibit Hall to accommodate more than

    95 exhibiting manufacturers!

    The show has grown - so our space has evolved! Many of

    our events have new locations, so please feel free to ask an

    Alliance employee or stop by the Registration desk if you

    have any questions.

    Retailers, it is my hope that you will make the best of the show

    by learning, networking, and gaming.

    Finally, I would like to thank our many exhibitors for supporting

    our show as sponsors. Without you our event wouldn’t be the same!

    Marketing Manager

2   2017          ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE          EVENT GUIDE
2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games
THANK YOU
   SPONSORS!                                     2017
       PLATINUM SPONSORS                   SILVER SPONSORS

                                           BRONZE SPONSORS

        GOLD SPONSORS

 AND MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR OTHER EXHIBITORS!
2017   ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE   EVENT GUIDE                     3
2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games
TABLE
                      2017                              OF CONTENTS
                                                  MEET THE ALLIANCE
                                                  MIDWEST ACCOUNT REPS............................ 6

                                                  EVENT SCHEDULE............................................ 8

                                                  SPECIAL EVENTS............................................ 10

                                                  GRAND WAYNE
                                                  CONVENTION CENTER MAP....................... 14

                                                  FOCUS GROUP SCHEDULE.......................... 16

                                                  FOCUS GROUPS............................................. 18

                                                  PEER WORKSHOP I...................................... 20

                                                  PEER WORKSHOP II..................................... 22

                                                  PEER WORKSHOP III.................................... 24

                                                  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS................................ 28

                                                  DEMO NIGHT EXHIBITORS......................... 36

                                                  DEMO HALL MAP.......................................... 37

                                                  LOCAL EATS!................................................... 38

                                                  GAME TRADE MEDIA................................... 40
         HIGH PERFORMANCE,
         HIGH CAPACITY WIFI
                                                  EXHIBIT HALL LIST........................................ 42
    The Grand Wayne Convention Center offers
     free shared and filtered Wireless Internet
        access service throughout the entire      EXHIBIT HALL MAP....................................... 43
        convention center for all attendees.

4                                                 2017          ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE           EVENT GUIDE
2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games
2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games
MEET THE ALLIANCE
           2017       MIDWEST ACCOUNT REPS

    BRIAN SIROIS    COREY PEREZ              DON KIMES

    JEFF MC MAHON   JIM SWEENEY         JOSH HORNBARGER

    KIT ANDERSON    LUKE HARDY          NATASHA WEILAND

6                     2017   ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE   EVENT GUIDE
2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games
2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games
2017                      EVENT SCHEDULE
           TIME              EVENT                                            LOCATION

           2:00pm-7:00pm     Registration                                     Outside Anthony Wayne Ballroom

           3:00pm-4:30pm     CMON’s Special Event - Modern Art                Anthony Wayne Ballroom A
           4:30pm-5:30pm     Renegade Game Studios                            Anthony Wayne Ballroom B
FRIDAY

                             Special Event - Flip Ships

           5:00pm-8:00pm     WizKids Paint & Take Event (Drop In & Out)       Harrison Corridor

           8:00pm-12:00am    Demo Night 1 - Sponsored by                      Convention A South
                             Catalyst Game Labs and
                             Lone Shark Games

           8:00am-2:00pm     Registration                                     Outside Anthony Wayne Ballroom
           9:00am-12:00pm    Mayfair Games Demo 2 Demo                        Anthony Wayne Ballroom B
                             (Pre-Reg Required)
           9:00am-9:45am     Peer Workshop I                                  Jefferson A-C
           10:00am-10:45am   Peer Workshop II                                 Jefferson A-C
           11:00am-12:30pm   Vendor Focus Group I                             Jefferson Rooms
                             Wizards of the Coast                             Jefferson A
                             Games Workshop                                   Jefferson B
SATURDAY

                             Upper Deck                                       Jefferson C

           12:30pm-2:30pm    Lunch - Vendor Presentations                     Convention A North
                             Keynote Speaker: Renegade Game Studios
           2:30pm-4:00pm     Vendor Focus Group II                            Jefferson Rooms
                             Calliope Games                                   Jefferson A
                             Mayfair Games                                    Jefferson B
                             ANA and Alliance Games Partnership               Jefferson C

           4:15pm-5:00pm     Peer Workshop III                                Jefferson A-C

           5:30pm-7:30pm     Dinner - Vendor Presentations                    Convention A North

           8:00pm-12:00am    Demo Night 2 - Sponsored by                      Convention A South
                             CMON & Renegade Game Studios

           8:00am-9:00am     Pastries & Coffee                                Outside Jefferson Rooms
           9:00am-10:30am    Vendor Focus Group III                           Jefferson Rooms
                             Wizards of the Coast                             Jefferson A
                             WizKids                                          Jefferson B
SUNDAY

                             ANA Product Presentation                         Jefferson C

           10:45am-12:15pm   Vendor Focus Group IV                            Jefferson Rooms
                             Renegade Game Studios                            Jefferson A
                             CMON                                             Jefferson B
                             Q-Workshop                                       Jefferson C
           12:30pm-2:00pm    Lunch - Vendor Presentations                     Convention A North
           2:00pm-6:00pm     Exhibit Hall                                     Convention C

8                                                   2017          ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE     EVENT GUIDE
2017     SPECIAL EVENTS
            CMON’S SPECIAL EVENT – MODERN ART:
            Friday, Sept 8 | Anthony Wayne Ballroom A | 3-4:30PM

            Join the CMON staff to learn how to play Modern Art and receive a FREE
            copy of the game! In Modern Art, players take on the role of curators,
            buying and selling paintings for their museum. Beauty is in the eye of the
            beholder, but in the high-stakes world of fine art auctions, there’s nothing
            more beautiful than making a buck.

            RENEGADE GAME STUDIOS
            SPECIAL EVENT – FLIP SHIPS:
            Friday, Sept 8 | Anthony Wayne Ballroom B | 4:30-5:30PM

            Join the Renegade crew to learn how to play Flip Ships and receive a FREE
            copy of the game!

            Flip Ships is a cooperative dexterity game where players take on the roles
            of brave pilots defending their planet from an onslaught of firepower. Flip
            your ships to take out the encroaching enemies, and to take down the
            powerful mother ship before it’s too late.

            WIZKIDS PAINT + TAKE:
            Friday, Sept 8 | Harrison Corridor | 5:00-8:00PM

            Join us Friday evening as we host our second annual Paint + Take event
            sponsored by WizKids. This event will have will be your first opportunity
            to paint brand new, not yet released figures from WizKids unpainted
            miniatures line. This is a come and go event, so feel free to drop in anytime
            between 5:00 - 8:00 PM!

            MAYFAIR DEMO 2 DEMO:
            Saturday, Sept 9 | Anthony Wayne Ballroom B | 9AM-12PM
            (Pre-Registration Required)

            Mayfair Games is pleased to continue its support of Alliance Game
            Distributors and once again presents its popular D2D program at the
            Alliance Open House in Fort Wayne Indiana, September 9th. This session
            will introduce Bärenpark, Caverna: Cave v. Cave and Run Bunny Run to
            participants, while teaching them how to demo and sell each game, and
            present additional materials that will support product sales.

10          2017            ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE                EVENT GUIDE
ALLIANCE 2017
      OPEN HOUSE

14       2017   ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE   EVENT GUIDE
GRAND WAYNE
         CONVENTION CENTER

2017   ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE   EVENT GUIDE   15
FOCUS GROUP
                     2017                                 SCHEDULE
Retailers, check your name badges! The color          FOCUS GROUP I                            FOCUS GROUP III
running across the bottom of your name tag
                                                       Saturday, September 9th                   Sunday, September 10th
determines which schedule you follow.
                                                          11:00am-12:30pm                             9:00-10:30am
                  ORANGE TAGS
     will rotate rooms in the following order:
                 Jefferson A, B, C.

                     BLUE TAGS                        FOCUS GROUP II                           FOCUS GROUP IV
     will rotate rooms in the following order:                                                   Sunday, September 10th
                 Jefferson B, C, A.                    Saturday, September 9th
                                                              2:30-4:00pm                           10:45am-12:15pm
                   GREEN TAGS
     will rotate rooms in the following order:
                 Jefferson C, A, B.

                                                                                Wizards of

    ORANGE TAG
                                                  Focus Group I                                Games Workshop     Upper Deck
                                                                                 the Coast
                                                 Saturday | 11:00am-12:30pm                      Jefferson B      Jefferson C
                                                                                Jefferson A

    ROTATION SCHEDULE                            Focus Group II                  Calliope      Mayfair Games
                                                                                                                   Asmodee
                                                                                                                 North America
                                                 Saturday | 2:30pm-4:00pm       Jefferson A     Jefferson B
                                                                                                                  Jefferson C
      Jefferson A > B > C                                                       Wizards of                         Asmodee
                                                 Focus Group III                                  WizKids
   Focus Group I: Saturday 11:00am-12:30pm                                       the Coast                       North America
                                                 Sunday | 9:00am-10:30am                         Jefferson B
                                                                                Jefferson A                       Jefferson C
     Focus Group II: Saturday 2:30-4:00pm
                                                                                 Renegade
     Focus Group III: Sunday 9:00-10:30am        Focus Group IV                                    CMON          Q-Workshop
                                                                               Game Studios
       Focus Group IV: 10:45am-12:15pm           Sunday | 10:45am-12:15pm                        Jefferson B      Jefferson C
                                                                                Jefferson A

                                                                                                                  Wizards of

          BLUE TAG
                                                  Focus Group I               Games Workshop     Upper Deck
                                                                                                                   the Coast
                                                 Saturday | 11:00am-12:30pm     Jefferson B      Jefferson C
                                                                                                                  Jefferson A

    ROTATION SCHEDULE                            Focus Group II               Mayfair Games
                                                                                                  Asmodee
                                                                                                North America
                                                                                                                   Calliope
                                                 Saturday | 2:30pm-4:00pm      Jefferson B                        Jefferson A
                                                                                                 Jefferson C
      Jefferson B > C > A                                                                         Asmodee         Wizards of
                                                 Focus Group III                 WizKids
   Focus Group I: Saturday 11:00am-12:30pm                                                      North America      the Coast
                                                 Sunday | 9:00am-10:30am        Jefferson B
                                                                                                 Jefferson C      Jefferson A
     Focus Group II: Saturday 2:30-4:00pm
                                                                                                                   Renegade
     Focus Group III: Sunday 9:00-10:30am        Focus Group IV                   CMON          Q-Workshop
                                                                                                                 Game Studios
       Focus Group IV: 10:45am-12:15pm           Sunday | 10:45am-12:15pm       Jefferson B      Jefferson C
                                                                                                                  Jefferson A

                                                                                                 Wizards of

       GREEN TAG
                                                  Focus Group I                 Upper Deck                      Games Workshop
                                                                                                  the Coast
                                                 Saturday | 11:00am-12:30pm     Jefferson C                       Jefferson B
                                                                                                 Jefferson A

    ROTATION SCHEDULE                            Focus Group II
                                                                                 Asmodee
                                                                               North America
                                                                                                  Calliope      Mayfair Games
                                                 Saturday | 2:30pm-4:00pm                        Jefferson A     Jefferson B
                                                                                Jefferson C
      Jefferson C > A > B                                                        Asmodee         Wizards of
                                                 Focus Group III                                                   WizKids
   Focus Group I: Saturday 11:00am-12:30pm                                     North America      the Coast
                                                 Sunday | 9:00am-10:30am                                          Jefferson B
                                                                                Jefferson C      Jefferson A
     Focus Group II: Saturday 2:30-4:00pm
                                                                                                  Renegade
     Focus Group III: Sunday 9:00-10:30am        Focus Group IV                Q-Workshop                           CMON
                                                                                                Game Studios
       Focus Group IV: 10:45am-12:15pm           Sunday | 10:45am-12:15pm       Jefferson C                       Jefferson B
                                                                                                 Jefferson A

16                                               2017                ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE                EVENT GUIDE
2017                                   FOCUS GROUPS
Focus Group I - Jefferson A      Saturday, 11:00am-12:30pm   For centuries, the untamed jungles of Ixalan have hidden a coveted secret: Orazca, the city of gold. But no
                                                             secret can remain undiscovered, and no treasure can be taken uncontested. Unfurl your sails, saddle up a
Wizards of the Coast Magic:                                  dinosaur, and battle your rivals as you embark on a journey to claim the plane’s greatest fortune for yourself!
                                                             Join Mark Price as he describes the flavor and story of Ixalan, talks about the new player path from Open
Ixalan and the Player’s Path                                 House through League and Standard Showdown!

Focus Group I - Jefferson B      Saturday, 11:00am-12:30pm   Shadespire is a new tactical arena combat game on its way later this year. This is a system designed for balanced,
                                                             small-scale tactical games, that can be played quickly and easily by anyone, but which even experienced players
Games Workshop: An introduction to                           will find challenging to master. The game rules are designed with competitive play in mind; matches can be played
Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire and                        in under 45 minutes, on a smaller surface than our larger-scale games, and will be ideal for club or tournament
Organised Play                                               play. And not only that, we’ll be fully supporting an organised play system for this game, right from day one.

Focus Group I - Jefferson C      Saturday, 11:00am-12:30pm   Upper Deck Entertainment is the worldwide leader in trading card games, producing the best products in
                                                             the marketplace. With licenses from Marvel, Sanrio Inc., and HIT Entertainment, Upper Deck Entertain-
Upper Deck: Talking with                                     ment covers properties including Thor, the Mighty Avenger; Marvel Beginnings; Hello Kitty; and Thomas &
                                                             Friends. Whether it’s a new trading card set, trading card game or a challenging diversion for kids to play,
Upper Deck Entertainment                                     Upper Deck Entertainment fills the need.

Focus Group II - Jefferson A    Saturday, 2:30-4:00pm        Ray Wehrs, President of Calliope Games, will discuss ”What’s New” at Calliope Games…this
Calliope Games: The Good,                                    year’s Titans and more! Plus, the importance of ”Brand” and “How Calliope Games intends to
The Good, And the Good!                                      protect theirs.”

Focus Group II - Jefferson B    Saturday, 2:30-4:00pm        Join Mayfair Games and learn about the new and upcoming products for 2017 with a sneak
                                                             peek at 2018! Share your feedback on current product and ideas for ways we at Mayfair can
Mayfair Games: New Releases                                  help make your job easier in the world of games. Plus… let’s talk about our future promotions
from Mayfair Games                                           and opportunities for you as retailers.

Focus Group II - Jefferson C    Saturday, 2:30-4:00pm        Please join us for an insightful presentation on how the unique partnership between Asmodee
Asmodee North America: Asmodee North                         North America and Alliance Game Distributors will work to help support hobby game retailers,
American and Alliance Games Partnership                      expand their business, and grow the greater gaming industry.

Focus Group III - Jefferson A           9:00-10:30am         Mark Price and Shelly Mazzanoble are on-hand to talk about all of the incredible
Wizards of the Coast - New Releases from                     Dungeons & Dragons and Avalon Hill products coming this fall. Learn all about Betrayal at
Dungeons & Dragons and Avalon Hill                           Baldur’s Gate, the Axis & Allies Anniversary Edition, and more!

Focus Group III - Jefferson B           9:00-10:30am         Get the inside scoop on all of WizKids’ upcoming board game releases! Want to know more
                                                             about WizKids’ business or have burning questions that you’d like answered by someone on
WizKids: Behind the Curtain with WizKids                     the WizKids team? This is your chance to ask and learn — WizKids wants to hear from you!

Focus Group III - Jefferson C           9:00-10:30am         Join Asmodee North America as we discuss the exciting lineup of upcoming products from As-
Asmodee North America: Asmodee                               modee Studios and partners such as Space Cowboys, Catan, Z-Man Games, Days of Wonder,
North America Product Seminar                                Fantasy Flight Games, Repos, Libellud, Ludonaute, and Pearl Games.

Focus Group IV - Jefferson A       10:45am-12:15pm           Join the Renegade Team to find out about upcoming games and special retailer promotions
Renegade Game Studios: Renegade                              geared toward maximizing your holiday sales. Learn about our Early Release programs, avail-
Announces Holiday Retail Programs                            able Play Renegade! Kits, and details of our upcoming games.

                                                             CMON has had an exciting 2017, and we invite all of you to join us at our “What’s Next” seminar during
Focus Group IV - Jefferson B       10:45am-12:15pm           the Alliance Open House. In this seminar, Jules Vautour, CMON’s Sales Director, will highlight exciting
CMON: What’s Next for CMON?                                  new titles arriving in 2018 and discuss the CMON Play program – the brick and mortar retailer program
                                                             with exclusive offers for members. We look forward to seeing you there, and showing you what’s next!

                                                             Gamers LOVE dice. More importantly, almost EVERY gamer needs dice! Join Q-Workshop as
Focus Group IV - Jefferson C       10:45am-12:15pm           they discuss this very important accessory and how stores can effectively sell (more) dice, best
Q-Workshop: Never Say Die!                                   take advantage of displays, and more as they draw upon years of personal experience and
                                                             retailer feedback.

18                                                           2017                    ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE                                 EVENT GUIDE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9            PEER
                                    WORKSHOP I
          9:00am – 9:45am

                               Every day in the retail store there is limited time to get
 INDUSTRY TOOLS FOR            our information in front of the customer. Even before they

 RETAILERS THAT CAN            come in they have researched product, reviews and release

MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER           dates. Learn about the Dized app that is going to replace

        with Lynn Potyen       the rules book, FLGS -tv selling by turning existing in-store

                               TV monitors into POS marketing platforms, tabletop game
         JEFFERSON A
                               convention management programs and other resources.

                               Are you a Store Manager who doesn’t quite get why the
     THINKING LIKE AN          Owner does something? Or are you an Owner who has

     OWNER/THINKING            forgotten what it means to lead the sales team? Maybe
                               you’re the Owner thinking about promoting an employee
     LIKE A MANAGER
                               to be a Store Manager because you feel overwhelmed. If
      with Angie Blackmon
                               you are any of these, then this seminar is for you! We’ll
        & David Wheeler        cover what challenges the Owner and causes sleepless
                               nights, how to include the Manager in the “big” things and
         JEFFERSON B
                               what effective team work means for both.

                               An overview of the daily activities and responsibilities
     BEHIND THE SCENES         typical for an account rep. They will explore what the ideal

           with your           dynamic between a retail store and their Alliance rep

     Alliance Representative   should look like and how to best utilize relationships with

                               the Alliance sales team, as well as discuss some of the tools
         JEFFERSON C
                               and benefits available to all Alliance customers.

20                             2017        ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE          EVENT GUIDE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9          PEER
                                 WORKSHOP II
         10:00am – 10:45am

                             In this workshop, we’ll look at the hard facts of how
     PRICING YOURSELF        discounting can lead to the downfall of a store’s business.
     OUT OF BUSINESS -       The presentation breaks down costs of business and the
     THE DANGERS OF          percentage of profit that should be expected, and show

       DISCOUNTING           how discounting could cause store owners to pay their

     with Brandon Adamson    customers, rather than getting paid. We’ll also examine the

                             positive points to discounting, like store loyalty and moving
         JEFFERSON A
                             dead product.

                             Diversification of product lines can improve the sustain-
      PURCHASING &           ability of your business, widen your demographic, and
                             establish positive customer relations while minimizing risk.
          PRODUCT            Oftentimes, we sacrifice product opportunities for budget,
                             space, or even personal disinterest. We’ll talk about how
      DIVERSIFICATION
                             expanding your investment into new products, lines, and
        with Drake Siegel    even whole departments can help your business be more
                             financially secure in today’s industry through customer in-
       & Angie Blackmon      teraction and feedback, identifying areas for growth and
                             minimizing the risk associated with a growing inventory all
          JEFFERSON B        while generating interest and attracting new customers to
                             your business.

                             Ted Bonafede, Alliance’s Asmodee Sales Specialist

                             Manager, will provide insight into this exciting new role
     ASMODEE NORTH           while explaining how the ANA Specialist can best serve
 AMERICA WORKSHOP            your store’s needs. This workshop will explore the ANA

       with Ted Bonafede     specialist position, demonstrate how two reps can be better

                             than one, provide a review and explanation of the exclusivity
          JEFFERSON C
                             relationship between ANA and Alliance as well as offer a

                             forum for some Q&A.

22                           2017        ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE          EVENT GUIDE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9         PEER
                                WORKSHOP III
          4:15pm – 5:00pm

                             Back in 1994, Al Ries and Jack Trout published the 22

                             Immutable Laws of Marketing, all of which are still valid
     THE 22 IMMUTABLE
                             today. As with any law, you can certainly break them but,
 LAWS OF MARKETING
                             as with any law, before you break it, you ought to know the
        with Scott Thorne
                             reasoning behind it first. This presentation briefly looks at
         JEFFERSON A         the 22 marketing rules developed by the men who also first

                             developed and popularized the concept of market positioning.

                             Ever wonder what separates a great event with an amazing
                             turnout and a good one with mediocre attendance? Or
     DEVELOPING YOUR         what it takes to bring the fundamentals of a great event into
                             building long term success for a game or community? Then
 GAMING COMMUNITY
                             this talk is right for you. We’ll go over what drives success at
        with Chris Fedor     events, how to have success with organized play and what
                             you can do to improve events. We’ll also discuss building
       & Angie Blackmon
                             trust and successful tournament organizer roles within your

         JEFFERSON B         store, how to know when to drop a game or event, when
                             it’s ok to “fire” a toxic customer and how you can build a
                             broader community to increase your store revenues.

                             An exploration of inventory management strategies with
      FELLOWSHIP OF          a focus on gross margin return on investment. Journey

        THE THINGS           with the fellowship, from the soft sandy decisions of new

        with Mike Kistler    releases through the heartland of the evergreens to the cold

                             calculated tundras of low turns. Be rewarded with adven-
         JEFFERSON C
                             ture, experience, and treasure!

24                           2017         ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE           EVENT GUIDE
ABOUT
     2017       THE SPEAKERS

            BRANDON ADAMSON
            Brandon Adamson has been a gladiator in the retail industry for over
            21 years and has been in the gaming retail industry for over 18. He
            has battled in the ring of corporate retail, as well as held his own in
            the smaller (but no less deadly) game store arena. He is currently the
            General Manager for Fantasy Books Inc., a chain of four stores in the
            St. Louis Metro East area. With no shortage of scars and a little bit of
            wisdom, he comes with great humility and feels blessed to be allowed to
            speak before fellow game store enthusiasts.

            ANGIE BLACKMON
            Angie Blackmon is the Owner of Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy®, in
            Austin, Texas. She has been working in the gaming industry for over 12
            years, holding positions from Sales Associate to Ownership. Her nearly
            11,000 square foot store has won numerous Game Trade Awards, Best
            Practice Awards and Power Retailer Awards. She is passionate about
            moving the gaming industry forward and recently accepted a position
            with the GAMA Retailer Division. When she’s not busy pursuing her
            dream, she can be found playing board games, role playing games or
            preparing to join her staff on the minis tables!

            TED BONAFEDE
            Ted began his love of gaming with tabletop miniatures games. After
            several years of enjoying the hobby, Ted decided that his goal was to
            have a career in the gaming industry; thus began his job at Games
            Workshop, first in the casting room in the Glen Burnie, MD location and
            then Mail Order. After several fun, challenging years there, Ted came to
            work for Alliance Games as a sales rep. After seven years of working
            as a rep, he surprised even himself by applying for the Sales Manager
            position that had opened in the east location. The following 3 years as
            a manager honed his skills and prepped Ted for the job he is doing
            today - as the Asmodee Specialist Sales Manager for Alliance. It has
            been an amazing experience so far, and he is looking forward to this
            new challenge!

28          2017           ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE                 EVENT GUIDE
ABOUT
     2017       THE SPEAKERS
            CHRIS FEDOR
            Chris Fedor has worked for Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy ® in
            Austin, Texas for almost four years. He started as an Events Tournament
            Organizer and was promoted to Events Manager in 2016, overseeing
            the growth and success of the store’s Organized Play Programs. He is
            responsible for increasing their presence by running massive regional
             tournaments, exclusive content and off-site conventions. During his
            tenure, the store won the GAMA Outstanding Organized Play Program.
            His years of geeking out with his friends playing D&D, Magic, Warhammer
            and more helped him have a diverse understanding of the different
            gaming cultures within our community. Always on the lookout for new
            communities to reach, both big and small, he’s happy to listen to what
            might be the next fun adventure in the tabletop world.

            MIKE KISTLER
            I’ve been pretty nerdy and drawn to games and collectibles since child-
            hood, with sports cards, Super Mario, and HeroQuest serving as a gate-
            way to the hard stuff like Magic and D&D, and I’ve been involved in the
            gaming industry off and on for the majority of the past 13 years, the
            last 4 of which have been with Epic Loot, which has gaming and comic
            stores in the Dayton, Ohio area. As a co-owner and our Operations
            Manager, I improve our processes and - in a rare case of using a college
            degree, mine in Management Information Systems - I handle a lot of our
            data and analysis. During the past year I’ve also served on the GAMA
            Retail Division board, where I was nominated as vice chair in March.

            LYNN POTYEN
            Lynn Potyen is a retailer of 11 years, she created the rental model that is
            being used worldwide. Lynn is an advocate for using games to enhance
            brain health and has used this technique to help not only her customers
            but her family and community. In her time as a retailer and industry
            leader, Lynn has served her communities on the GAMA Retail Board
            (2011-2017, Chairperson 2014-2015), as a member of the Sheboygan
            County Chamber Business Advocacy Team (2010-Present) and the
            Dementia Friendly Task Force (2015-Present), and has received numer-
            ous awards in recognition of her dedication to the industry.

30          2017           ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE                 EVENT GUIDE
ABOUT
     2017       THE SPEAKERS

            DRAKE SIEGEL
            Drake Siegel is the Purchasing/Merchandising Manager at Dragon’s
            Lair Comics & Fantasy® in Austin, Texas. He began his three plus years
            of tenure as a Holiday Sales Associate, was then hired on full-time and
            quickly showed an aptitude for product placement and understanding
            what customers wanted to purchase. Drake manages inventory across
            30 diverse departments in the nearly 11,000 square foot store and is
            passionate about maintaining inventory while branching out into new
            product lines.

            SCOTT THORNE
            Scott Thorne has taught marketing since 1991, first at Southern Illi-
            nois State University in Carbondale, Illinois and currently at Southeast
            Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO, specializing in con-
            sumer behavior and retailing. He also runs Castle Perilous Games and
            Books, the name of which he mildly regrets but is loath to give up given
            the brand equity invested in it, which opened in Carbondale in 1990
            and is one of the oldest tabletop game stores in the country. He also
            writes the popular “Rolling for Initiative” weekly column for ICV2.com.

            DAVID WHEELER
            In 1983, while attending the University of Texas, David Wheeler received
            his first paycheck for working at a comic book store. In 1986 he opened
            his own store.
              Now, thirty plus years later, a comic book and game store veteran, he
            manages a franchise of stores that operate under the name of Dragon’s Lair
            Comics & Fantasy ®.
              In his professional life he has dealt with Retailing, Marketing, and almost
            every aspect of comic book and game sales. And leases. So, so many leases.
            He has also been President, Vice President and Past President of PACER,
            a comic Retailer organization, has served on the GAMA Retailer Board.
              He trusts and looks forward to more adventures and learning experiences
            to come.

32          2017             ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE                EVENT GUIDE
FRIDAY NIGHT SPONSORS                                                               DEMO NIGHT
                                                                                            EXHIBITORS
Alderac AEG........................................................D7            Mayday Games	������������������������������������������������������������������������������� F6
Arcane Wonders	���������������������������������������������������J5             Mayfair Games	������������������������������������������������������������������������� F3, G3
Ares Games..........................................................C3           Monte Cook Games	�������������������������������������������������������������������������K6
Asmodee North America	������������� A2, B2, C2, D2, E2                           Ninja Division	��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� G6
                                         F2, G2, H2,I2, J2, K2, L2,              North Star Games 	�������������������������������������������������������������������������� N5
                                         M2, N2, A3, B3, M3, N3                  Osprey Games	��������������������������������������������������������������������������������M5
Atlas Games.........................................................H5           Paizo Inc	����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� L6
Bandai Co LTD..................................................... G5            Palladium Books INC	�����������������������������������������������������������������������M7
Bezier Games.......................................................D3            Party People Games	������������������������������������������������������������������������ A4
Breaking Games.................................................. N7              Pokemon	���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� G7
Calliope Games.................................................... K3            Privateer Press	���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� E5
Capstone Games	�������������������������������������������������� F7             PSI - Cryptozoic	������������������������������������������������������ J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Catalyst Game Labs	��������������������������������������������� K1              PSI - Daily Magic Games	����������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Cheapass Games 	������������������������������������������������� I5             PSI - Dude Games	��������������������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
CMON............................................................E1, F1           PSI - Greenbrier	��������������������������������������������������������������������������������J6
Creative Goods Company	������������������������������������ N7                   PSI - Indie Board & Card	����������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Czech Games Edition	�������������������������������������������A6                PSI - John Wick Productions	������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Devir Americas..................................................... B6           PSI - NSKN.............................................................. J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Elzra Corp............................................................C6         PSI - Portal Games	�������������������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Everything Epic ....................................................D6           PSI - Stronghold	������������������������������������������������������ J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Fearlight Games	���������������������������������������������������� I7          Publishing Services Inc	��������������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Fireside Games.....................................................H6            Quick Simple Fun	����������������������������������������������������������������������������M6
Games and Gears	������������������������������������������������C5               R&R Games	������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ N6
Games Workshop............................................ H4, I4                Red Raven Games	���������������������������������������������������������������������������� L5
Gigamic................................................................ I6       Reliquary Games	������������������������������������������������������������������������������ I7
Greater Than Games	�������������������������������������������� B4               Renegade Game Studios	���������������������������������������������������������������I1, J1
Green Ronin Games	���������������������������������������������H7                Sabol Designs	����������������������������������������������������������������������������������K7
Haba USA.............................................................J7          Smart Zone Games	�������������������������������������������������������������������������� L7
IDW Games...........................................................J7           Smirk and Dagger	��������������������������������������������������������������������������� A7
Iello.......................................................................L3   Steamforged Games	������������������������������������������������������������������ C4, D4
IMP - Cephalofair............................................A5, B5              Steve Jackson Games	����������������������������������������������������������������������� B7
IMP - Goodman Games	����������������������������������A5, B5                     Tasty Minstrel Games	������������������������������������������������������������������������ L7
IMP - Grand Gamers Guild	�����������������������������A5, B5                     Thames & Kosmos	����������������������������������������������������������������������������C7
IMP - Green Couch Games	�����������������������������A5, B5                      The Army Painter	����������������������������������������������������������������������������M7
IMP - Jasco Games..........................................A5, B5                Twilight Creations	����������������������������������������������������������������������������� E3
IMP - Level 99 Games	�������������������������������������A5, B5                 Ultra Pro International 	��������������������������������������������������������������������� E4
IMP - Modiphius .............................................A5, B5              Upper Deck 	�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������J3
IMP - Studio 9 Games	������������������������������������A5, B5                  USAopoly	���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� F5
Impressions.....................................................A5, B5           White Wizard Games	���������������������������������������������������������������������� E7
Konami................................................................ K7        Wizards of the Coast	����������������������������������������������������������������� F4, G4
Legion Supplies..................................................... E6          WizKids	�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������H3, I3
Lone Shark Games	�����������������������������������������������D1               Wyrd Games	�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������K5
Mantic Games......................................................D5

36                                                                               2017                  ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE                           EVENT GUIDE
SATURDAY NIGHT SPONSORS
 DEMO HALL MAP
                       A2            A3        A4    A5       A6      A7
        R
       A
       B

                       B2            B3        B4    B5       B6       B7

                       C2            C3        C4    C5       C6          C7

           D1          D2            D3        D4    D5       D6      D7

           E1          E2            E3        E4    E5       E6          E7
DOOR

           F1          F2            F3        F4    F5       F6          F7
DOOR

       SPONSOR         G2            G3        G4    G5       G6      G7

       SPONSOR         H2            H3        H4    H5       H6      H7

            I1         I2            I3        I4    I5       I6     I7    I7

           J1          J2            J3        J4    J5       J6     J7    J7

           K1          K2            K3        K4    K5       K6     K7 K7

                       L2            L3        L4    L5       L6     L7    L7

                       M2            M3        M4    M5      M6     M7 M7
       B
       A
           R

                       N2            N3        N4    N5       N6    N7 N7

2017           ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE   EVENT GUIDE                               37
Looking for a good place to eat while at the show?

                                                                              LOCAL EATS!
Not sure where the best places are? We’ve got you covered.
 Check out the various local hot spots mapped out below -
       all of which are in walking distance from the
      Convention Center and Hilton Downtown Hotel.

1. DASH-IN                                                              6. KING GYROS (CASH ONLY)
   814 South Calhoun St                                                   302 West Jefferson Blvd
   Bustling pub/coffeehouse serves breakfast, lunch & dinner plus 23      Unpretentious fast-food restaurant serving pita sandwiches & other classic Greek fare.
   rotating beers on tap.
                                                                        7. STARBUCKS
2. 816 PINT & SLICE
                                                                          502 W Jefferson Blvd
   816 South Calhoun St
   Hangout serving a menu of creative pizzas & craft beers in a laid-
   back space with couches.                                             8. WINE DOWN - TASTINGS AND TAPAS
                                                                          301 West Jefferson Blvd
3. J K O’DONNELL’S                                                        New American small plates & 50+ vintages served in a chic bar with a spacious patio &
   121 West Wayne St                                                      live music.
   Pub offering beer & scotch, bar bites & soccer on TV amid classic
   Celtic ambiance.
                                                                        9. WENDY’S
                                                                          1021 South Clinton St
4. JIMMY JOHN’S
                                                                          Fast-food burger chain known for its shakes, as well as sides such as chili & baked potatoes.
   101 West Wayne St
   Counter-serve chain specializing in sub & club sandwiches, plus
   signature potato chips.                                              10. SUBWAY
                                                                          1111 South Clinton St
5. DUNKIN DONUTS                                                          Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads.
   900 Library Plaza
   Connected to Public Library

38                                                                      2017              ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE                          EVENT GUIDE
GAME
                                                TRADE MEDIA
                                         As part of the media marketing arm of Alliance Game Distributors,

                                         our mission is to excite and inform retailers and consumers of

                                         the products we distribute through quality video content over

                                         many platforms, including, but not limited to: Facebook, Instagram,

                                         Twitter, Twitch and our website GameTradeMedia.com.

     www.facebook.com/Gametrademedia/          @GameTradeMedia

     www.instagram.com/GameTradeMedia/         www.twitch.tv/gametrademedia

                                           JOSH GEPPI — PRESIDENT
                                           Josh Geppi has over 20 years of professional experience in the
                                           comic/pop culture industry. Former President of Diamond Inter-
                                           national Galleries where he sold pop culture collectibles and art-
                                           work, Josh is now the President of ComicWow. ComicWow is the
                                           multi-media marketing branch of Diamond Comic Distributors,
                                           Inc. He is excited about the recent addition of the Game Trade
                                           Media imprint to ComicWow. Josh is an avid comic collector and
                                           all-around nerd, who enjoys games, original artwork, and meet-
                                           ing new people. Though new to the tabletop gaming scene, the
                                           bug has bitten him already!

                                           RICHARD ANKNEY —
                                           PRODUCTION MANAGER
                                           Richard “Big Rick” Ankney is a retired Navy Corpsman,
                                           who finds himself working in the industry that 15-years-
                                           old Rick would have never imagined he would be a part
                                           of! As Production Manager for Game Trade Media and
                                           ComicWow, Big Rick’s mission is to bring the world of
                                           gaming and comics to an even broader audience!

                                           JOHNNY ROSE —
                                           FULL-TIME VIDEOGRAPHER;
                                           PART-TIME TIME TRAVELER
                                           When he’s not visiting fantastic worlds in his time travel-
                                           ling police box, Johnny can be found creating engaging
                                           video content for Game Trade Media and Comic Wow in an
                                           industry that he fell in love with as a kid.

40                                       2017            ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE              EVENT GUIDE
EXHIBIT
                                 2017                                                                      HALL LIST
Alderac AEG..................................................................................702            Legion Supplies................................................... 806
Arcane Wonders	����������������������������������������������������������������������������106              Lone Shark Games.............................................. 209
Ares Games....................................................................................404           Mantic Games.................................................... 203
ANA - Asmodee	����������������������������������������������������������������������������302               Max Protection.................................................... 709
ANA - Catan Studio	�����������������������������������������������������������������������306               Mayday Games.................................................. 205
ANA - Fantasy Flight Games	����������������������������������������������������������301                    Mayfair Games................................................... 401
ANA - Days of Woner	��������������������������������������������������������������������304                 Monster Protectors............................................... 707
ANA - Plaid Hat Games	�����������������������������������������������������������������305                  Monte Cook Games............................................ 606
ANA - Z-Man Games	���������������������������������������������������������������������303                  Ninja Division..................................................... 308
The Army Painter	���������������������������������������������������������������������������409             North Star Games .............................................. 204
Atlas Games...................................................................................603           Osprey Games.................................................... 703
Bandai Co LTD................................................................................609            Paizo Inc............................................................ 405
Bezier Games.................................................................................604            Palladium Books INC........................................... 809
Breaking Games	����������������������������������������������������������������������������206              Party People Games............................................ 408
Calliope Games..............................................................................202             Pokemon............................................................ 104
Capstone Games	����������������������������������������������������������������������������407              Privateer Press..................................................... 207
Catalyst Game Labs	�����������������������������������������������������������������������504               PSI - Academy Games......................................... 506
Cheapass Games 	��������������������������������������������������������������������������511               PSI - Cryptozoic.................................................. 506
CMON...........................................................................................601          PSI - Daily Magic Games..................................... 506
Creative Goods Company	���������������������������������������������������������������307                   PSI - Dude Games............................................... 507
Czech Games Edition	���������������������������������������������������������������������705                PSI - Greenbrier.................................................. 507
Devir Americas...............................................................................706            PSI - Indie Board & Card..................................... 508
Dex Protection.................................................................................804          PSI - John Wick Presents...................................... 508
Diamond Comic Distributors	������������������������������������������������������������802                  PSI - NSKN......................................................... 509
Elzra Corp......................................................................................805         PSI - Portal Games.............................................. 509
Everything Epic ..............................................................................309           PSI - Stronghold.................................................. 510
Fearlight Games..............................................................................107            Publishing Services Inc......................................... 510
Fireside Games...............................................................................608            Q-Workshop....................................................... 701
GAMA Game Manufacturers Association	����������������������������������������803                             Quick Simple Fun................................................ 105
Game Trade Media	������������������������������������������������������������������������801                R&R Games........................................................ 406
Games and Gears	��������������������������������������������������������������������������311               Red Raven Games............................................... 605
Games Workshop	��������������������������������������������������������������������������201                Reliquary Games................................................ 107
Gaming Paper LLC	�������������������������������������������������������������������������811               Renegade Game Studios...................................... 102
Gigamic.........................................................................................607         Smirk and Dagger............................................... 108
Greater Than Games	����������������������������������������������������������������������502                Steamforged Games............................................ 103
Green Ronin Publishing	������������������������������������������������������������������208                Steve Jackson Games.......................................... 505
Haba USA......................................................................................410           Tasty Minstrel Games........................................... 808
IDW Games....................................................................................810            Thames & Kosmos............................................... 312
Iello................................................................................................403    Twilight Creations................................................ 402
IMP - 9th Level Games	��������������������������������������������������������������������708               Ultra Pro International ........................................ 602
IMP - Cephalofair	���������������������������������������������������������������������������708            Upper Deck ....................................................... 503
IMP - Goodman Games	������������������������������������������������������������������708                   USAopoly........................................................... 704
IMP - Grand Gamers Guild	�������������������������������������������������������������708                   Vallejo Hobby Colors........................................... 807
IMP - Green Couch Games	�������������������������������������������������������������708                    White Wizard Games......................................... 610
IMP - Jasco Games	�������������������������������������������������������������������������708              Wizards of the Coast........................................... 501
IMP - Level 99 Games	���������������������������������������������������������������������708               WizKids............................................................. 101
IMP - Studio 9 Games	��������������������������������������������������������������������708                Wyrd Games...................................................... 310
Impressions.....................................................................................708         Alliance Ordering Booth............................... 109,700
Konami..........................................................................................411         GTM/Beholder Pick-Up....................................... 812

42                                                                                2017                     ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE                      EVENT GUIDE
EXHIBIT
 ORDERING
  BOOTH
            HALL MAP                                        2017
                209    312            411       511   610
                                                            709               812
108             208                   410       510   609
                       311
107                                   409       509   608   708               811
                207
                                      408       508   607   707               810

                       310
106             206                   407       507   606   706               809

105             205    309            406       506         705               808
                                                      605
104                    308            405       505                           807
                204                                         704
                       307                      504                           806
                                      404             604

                       306                                                    805
103             203                             503         703
                       305                            603                     804
                                      403

                       304                                                    803
102             202                             502   602   702
                       303            402                                     802

                       302
101             201                   401       501   601   701               801
                       301

                                                             ORDERING BOOTH
                         DOORS

2017        ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE   EVENT GUIDE                                  43
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